Retirees

Learn about last alarms, retirements, and promotions in the Honolulu Fire Department.

Identification Cards

Retirees who wish to obtain an identification card should call 723-7137 to make an appointment.

Should you have questions, please call the Occupational Safety and Health Office at 723-7120.

Last Alarms

Fire Fighter III Ernest Pablo

  • Date of Passing: February 17, 2023
  • Last Assignment: Engine 23, 3rd Platoon
  • Served: 35 years
  • Memorial Service
    • Visitation will begin at 1000 hours on March 24, 2023, at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park-Lower Chapel, which is located at 47-200 Kahekili Highway.

    • The service will begin at 1100 hours.

Honorary Fire Fighter Allyson “Ally” Tamayose

  • Memorial Service
    • Visitation will begin at 0930 hours on March 26, 2023, at the Pearl City High School Gym, which is located at 2100 Hookiekie Street.

    • The service will begin at 1030 hours.

Fire Capt. Gary Murakami

  • Date of Passing: December 4, 2022
  • Last Assignment: Engine 27, 1st Platoon
  • Served:  29 years, 5 months
  • Memorial Service
    • Visitation will begin at 1430 hours on March 11, 2023, at Kamehameha Schools Bishop Memorial Chapel, which is located at 1887 Makuakane Street.

    • The service will begin at 1530 hours.

Retirements

February 2023

Senior Pilot Terry Watanabe, Battalion 5, Air 1, 2nd Platoon
32 years, 7 months, 25 days

Fire Fighter I William Jarrett, Battalion 1, Engine 25, 2nd Platoon
19 years, 11 months, 25 days

December 2022

Battalion Chief Jarin Wong, Battalion 5, 1st Platoon
28 years, 10 months

Fire Capt. Patrick Young, Engine 9, 1st Platoon
28 years, 11 days

Fire Capt. Jason Katada, Engine 33, 2nd Platoon
28 years, 11 days

Fire Capt. Nalu Kukea, Rescue 1, 3rd Platoon
28 years, 11 days

Fire Capt. Derek Maurer, Engine 23, 1st Platoon
23 years, 11 months, 10 days

Fire Capt. Nilo Melo, Engine 33, 3rd Platoon
22 years, 6 months, 25 days

Fire Capt. Nolan Hanohano, Ladder 18, 1st Platoon
25 years, 7 months, 26 days

Fire Capt. Kristian Naluai, Engine 27, 3rd Platoon
28 years, 11 days

Fire Capt. Brendan O’Connor, Engine 18, 1st Platoon
27 years, 5 months, 28 days

Fire Capt. Dean Stowell, Rescue 2, 1st Platoon
26 years, 10 months, 24 days

Fire Capt. Ray Yamashita, Engine 10, 1st Platoon
30 years, 5 months, 25 days

Fire Fighter III Michael DePonte, Tower 30, 1st Platoon
28 years, 11 days

Fire Fighter II Chris Higa, Battalion 3, 1st Platoon
17 years, 3 months, 17 days

Fire Fighter II Clayton Choo, Planning and Development, C
26 years, 10 months, 24 days

November 2022

Fire Capt. Kenneth Han, Ladder 29, 1st Platoon
25 years, 6 months, 25 days

Fire Capt. Todd Hugo, Engine 27, 2nd Platoon
31 years, 9 months

September 2022

Fire Capt. Alika Winter, Engine 5, 2nd Platoon
25 years, 4 months, 25 days

Fire Fighter I Aaron Bangan, Engine 9, 2nd Platoon
19 years, 6 months, 28 days

Promotions

Battalion Chief

Ethan Aea
Christopher Cabasa
Michael Jones
Keoki Kaalele
Hank Kaiwi Jr.
Sean Kamai
Shawn Kuratani
Kevin Mokulehua
Blake Takahashi
Aina Watson
Russell Youth

Fire Fighter Cancer Presumption FAQs

Common questions regarding Act 107 (House Bill [HB] 1778).

HB1778_CD1

Act 107 was known as the Hawaii Firefighter Cancer Presumptive Law. It was introduced as Senate Bill 2660 by State Senator Rosalyn Baker, and the companion House Bill 1778 was introduced by Representative Scott Saiki. Act 107 acknowledges the occupational hazards that are inherent with being a fire fighter and provides sufficient medical coverage so that appropriate and timely treatment would reduce the impact of cancer for the families of fire fighters. The first part of Section 2 of the Act, ”Medical care, services, and supplies for controverted (undecided) claims”, applies to all worker’s compensation (WC) claims and requires private health care plans to pay for medical care, services, and supplies, when a WC claim is submitted and is progressing through the process. Although Chapter 10, Title 12, Administrative Rules, specified if a WC claim was filed, the health care insurer was to provide coverage for treatment costs, insurers were not covering the medical costs and would direct the employee to go through WC. Many doctors would tell their patients they would need to find a physician who would accept WC claims. The second part of the Section 2, “Medical care, services, and supplies for firefighters suffering from cancer”, identifies the types of cancers that will be covered by WC and applies to fire fighters who have five or more years of service. If the claim is determined to be compensable, WC will reimburse the treatment costs paid by the private health care plan and the employee.

Yes, a retiree may file a WC claim if diagnosed with the type of cancer covered by Act 107.

There is a two-year limitation between the date of the initial diagnosis to the date the WC claim is filed. For assistance, please contact the HFD Occupational Safety and Health Office at 723-7120 or -723-7137.

www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol02_Ch0046-0115/HRS0088/HRS_0088-0021.htm

This definition is in HRS 88-21 “Retirement for Public Officers and Employees.”

www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0587D/HRS_0587D-0001.htm

This definition is in HRS 587D “Safe Haven for Newborns.”